Miss. governor signs abortion law

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law on Monday a bill that could shut down the only abortion clinic in the state, hailing it as an important step to “ensure that the lives of the born and unborn are protected in Mississippi.”

House Bill 1390, which passed the state Senate earlier this month, requires all physicians at abortion clinics in Mississippi to be board-certified OB-GYN and to have admitting privileges at a local hospital.

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Jackson Women’s Health Organization in Jackson, Miss., is the only abortion facility in the state, and its owner recently told POLITICO that two of its three physicians do not have the now-required admitting rights. Diane Derzis had predicted that once signed into law, H.B. 1390 could force her clinic to close.

“I believe that all human life is precious, and as governor, I will work to ensure that the lives of the born and unborn are protected in Mississippi,” Bryant said in a statement after signing the legislation. “This bill requires all physicians associated with an abortion clinic in Mississippi to be board-certified or eligible in obstetrics and gynecology. To further protect patient safety in the event of a complication during the procedure, this bill also requires the physician to have staff and admitting privileges at a local hospital.”

Derzis had accused Republicans of “hiding behind words like ‘safety’ and ‘women’s health’” while attempting to shutter her facility, and she also vowed to sue the state of Mississippi if the doctors at her clinic were unable to obtain admitting privileges. She could not be reached for comment on Monday.

The new law is one of many state measures across the country aimed at scaling back access to abortion, such as a Virginia law signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell in March that requires women to undergo an ultrasound prior to getting an abortion.

Planned Parenthood was quick to condemn the new law. “Make no mistake, this law is based on a political agenda, not medical necessity,” Cecile Richards, the group’s president, said in a statement. “In yet another shortsighted attempt to ban abortion in Mississippi, Governor Bryant and lawmakers are putting their ideology above the health and safety of Mississippi women. This law is bad policy and endangers women’s health.”